The Gift, What Goes Around, Second Chances And More... :) Shangy!
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*~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny,
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I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!!
================
>-->2 Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :)
This super hottie is from our friends Jo Ann and Bunni. This
man was an amazing artist! The ASCII Art Master! You will be
awed not only by his art work but the fact that he overcame
his disability to achieve his vision. Check it out here...
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Typewriter Art 2
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/typeart2.html
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...Wow. Super amazing! Thank You Jo Ann And Bunni!
We have another HOT one from our friend Linda that should bust
your aww meter! Animal lovers will love this story! Check it out
and be sure to watch the video...
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a:f
Pink The Pig-Puppy!
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/pigpuppy.html
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...Awww, so adorable and cute! Thanks Linda!
Oh - by the way - check the updates - all I gotta say is,
'Wow! what a difference a [mamma] pig makes!' -
IE: weight of Pink VS his siblings
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*~* We Had A FANTASTIC Month Of Caring And Sharing Last Month *~*
Be sure to check these out and share them with all your loved ones!
Colorful Birds!
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/birds.html
Great Horned Owls!
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/owl.html
Beautiful Flowers!
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bflowers.html
Luxury Yacht!
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/luxyacht.html
Elephant Rescue!
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/elephants.html
K9 9/11 Heroes!
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/k9-11.html
Lily And Maddison!
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/greatdanes.html
Chapel Oak!
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/oakchapel.html
American Pride!
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/chevypride.html
Animal Friends 2!
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animalfriends2.html
*~* Big THANK YOU And Huggums In Christ To All Our Great Contributors!
=============================================================
>-->From Heartwarmers:
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>THE GIFT by Bob Perks
The holidays always brings a flood of memories.
Each day, each song, each moment is tied directly to something
wonderful that happened somewhere back in time for me. They don't
gather dust like some old antique. These memories sit well within
that place in my mind that I return to often leaving little time for
dust gathering.
This year I am making a special place in my heart for the story
of my tree. It is one I will be quick to share most any time of
year, for as long as I live.
It has been a tradition that we cut down our Christmas tree from
a local tree farm located about 45 minutes from where we live. Not
just any tree, but one that talks to me. Yes, I talk to trees and
they talk to me. Not all the trees, just the one that I am to select
that year.
No, I don't hear voices, but I connect to it almost on a
spiritual level. It's a feeling I get that confirms I have found the
right one. I'll admit that there have been times when we have walked
so long around the tree farm they all start talking. They all look
good. But somehow it always ends up being the perfect tree, the most
beautiful and most loved tree of all.
I was told once that the most loved tree on earth at Christmas
is selected to be in the Nativity in Heaven. A most prestigious
position indeed. Which brings me to my present day dilemma regarding
my pine tree in our front yard.
After struggling with the idea of losing the tree, I decided
that I would keep it by trimming all of the bottom limbs. Those
branches were clipped and offered to a nearby florist. They were
thrilled to have them. The thought that part of the tree would end
up in floral arrangements gave me peace -- even more people would
enjoy it.
I convinced my wife that the tree would look good the way it was
and she agreed that we should keep it. Then I received a phone call
that same evening.
"Bob, I am sorry it took me so long to get back to you. I
understand you called last week to offer your tree as a gift to our
church," the man said. I struggled for words. I wanted to tell him
that it was too late, but I ended up going into the whole story.
I told him how we raised it from a sapling. I told him about
all the snow storms and dry summers. I mentioned my two sons. Then
I said, "I promised it one more Christmas."
There was silence. I'm not sure he understood.
"Did your church need the tree?" I asked. I couldn't believe I
said it! I thought I settled this whole thing -- we were keeping it.
"Well, yes. We try every year to get one. We don't always.
It's a wonderful thing you are doing," he said.
I didn't think I was doing it. I thought I made up my mind.
Why was I even having this conversation?
"Are you familiar with our community event?"
I was. That's why I called him. Yes, I understand thousands attend.
"That's what we need it for. The Nativity," he said.
Oh, Lord. I can't believe it. How absolutely perfect. The
tree that I loved so very much would end up in the Nativity. The
Back Mountain Harvest Assembly presents the Nativity outdoors with
four performances over one weekend in December. People come from
miles around to participate. This tiny sapling raised with love over
the past 16 years would end up in the Nativity.
I had promised it one more Christmas. It ended up in wreaths,
floral arrangements and as the story goes, a place in the Nativity
for the most loved tree.
They are coming for the tree on the weekend.
By the way. The name of the community production is... The Gift.
-- Bob Perks
___________________________________________
Bob is a Heartwarmer Gem and a professional speaker, author, and
vocalist. You are welcomed to visit his new story website and sign
up to receive his free email newsletter at:
http://www.iwishyouenough.com
===================================================================
>-->From CupOfCheer:
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>SECOND CHANCES
It was small enough to overlook. Only two words. I know Iíd read
that passage a hundred times. But Iíd never seen it.
But I wonít miss it again. Itís highlighted in yellow and underlined
in red. You might want to do the same. Look in Mark, chapter 16.
Get your pencil ready and enjoy this jewel in the seventh verse
(here it comes). The verse reads like this: ďBut go, tell his disciples
and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee.
Did you see it? Read it again. (This time I italicized the words.)
ďBut go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to
Galilee.Ē
Now tell me if thatís not a hidden treasure.
If I might paraphrase the words, ďDonít stay here, go tell the
disciples,Ē a pause, then a smile, ďand especially tell Peter, that he
is going before you to Galilee.Ē
What a line. Itís as if all of heaven had watched Peter fallóand itís
as if all of heaven wanted to help him back up again. ďBe sure and
tell Peter that heís not left out. Tell him that one failure doesnít
make a flop.Ē
Whew!
No wonder they call it the gospel of the second chance.
Those who know these types of things say that the Gospel of Mark
is really the transcribed notes and dictated thoughts of Peter. If this
is true, then it was Peter himself who included these two words!
And if these really are his words, I canít help but imagine that the
old fisherman had to brush away a tear and swallow a lump when
he got to this point in the story.
Itís not every day that you get a second chance. Peter must have
known that. The next time he saw Jesus, he got so excited that he
barely got his britches on before he jumped into the cold water of
the Sea of Galilee. It was also enough, so they say, to cause this
backwoods Galilean to carry the gospel of the second chance all
the way to Rome where they killed him. If youíve ever wondered
what would cause a man to be willing to be crucified upside down,
maybe now you know.
Itís not every day that you find someone who will give you a
second chanceómuch less someone who will give you a second
chance every day.
But in Jesus, Peter found both.
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>WANTED: DISCIPLEMAKERS
Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul
had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had
spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in
the name of Jesus in Damascus.
Acts 9:27
Sometimes new Christians have a difficult time finding their way
in their newfound faith. They need someone who will stand with
them and love them.
A guy named Mark did this for me. After I came to Christ on my
high school campus, no one came up to me afterward and said,
"Now Greg, you are a brand-new Christian. We have this Bible
here for you. You also need to start going to church." Instead, the
school bell rang, and I went back to class.
I went on with my plans for that weekend, which was to go off into
the mountains and smoke dope. But as I was sitting out on a rock
and getting ready to do this, I felt God was speaking to my heart
and telling me I didn't need to do that. Although I didn't know how
to pray, I asked God to make himself real to me and to help me.
And God answered that prayer.
When I returned to school on Monday, some guy named Mark,
whom I had never seen before, walked up to me and introduced
himself. He told me that he had seen me give my life to Christ at
the Bible study on Friday. Then he invited me to church, and, in a
very direct but loving way, he wouldn't take no for an answer. So
I went to church with Mark. I started hearing the Word of God, and
my life started to change.
I didn't need a Bible scholar. I didn't need an evangelist. But I did
need a friend. And that is what Mark was for me.
So here is my question for you: Can you be a friend to someone?
Because our commission is not only to preach the gospel, but to
make disciples.
as seen in Daily Devotion with Greg Laurie
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>BE FAITHFUL
His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You
have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of
many things. Come and share your master's happiness!
(Matthew 25:21 (NIV))
What has God placed in your life that you have been faithful with?
I pray that you do not have to stop and think about this too long.
God has blessed each of us with many things that we have. Life,
health, faith, love, joy, and many more, yet, there are some things
that he has given to us to use to His glory. Many of us simply think
of these things as the skills that we have been blessed with to be
able to work or they are simply our hobby.
A new friend of mine is a mechanic. Even though he gets paid to
fix vehicles, he doesn't hesitate to stop and help somebody when
they are broken down on the side of the road.
I know a group of women who knit. They have turned their hobby
into a ministry of love by giving their work to the elderly and the
sick.
I know people who love to fix things. They have gotten together to
form a handyman ministry to assist those who cannot do it for
themselves.
I know of accountants who put their skills to use for international
ministries.
Paul was a tentmaker. He used this skill to introduce himself into
communities and then would tell people about Jesus. Look what
God was able to do through Paul.
Perhaps you are gifted in music. Play and sing praises of God's
grace. You will be surprised at how this will touch people's hearts.
I know that God has blessed each of us with a few talents. Some
we use for our work. Others we use as a hobby. Others are simply
things that we know how to do and do them without thought. No
matter what these gifts may be, each of us has been given a few
things that we can use to reach out to others, to minister to them in
their need, and to shine the light of Jesus into their lives. We must
be faithful in these few things that God has given to us.
I know that I long to be faithful in all that I have been given. I pray
that I may stand before God and hear the words, "Well done, good
and faithful servant!"
It is my desire, and I hope that it is your desire as well, to hear the
following words.
Come and share your master's happiness!
Copyright 1998 - 2011 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
-<>-
To SUBSCRIBE: Send an e-mail
with SUBSCRIBE CUP O'CHEER in the subject line to
cheer316@sc.rr.com.
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>-->From TheMasti:
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>What Goes Around...
One day a good man saw an old lady, stranded on the side of the road,
but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he
pulled up in front of the lady who had got a Mercedes.
Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to
help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look
safe; he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened,
standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was those
chills which only fear can put in you. He said, ďIím here to help you,
ma'am. Why donít you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my
name is Bryan Anderson.
Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad
enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the
jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change
the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.
As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and
began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was
only just passing through. She couldnít thank him enough for coming to
her aid.
Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she
owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already
imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not
stopped. Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job
to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were
plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole
life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.
He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time
she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the
assistance they needed, and Bryan added, And think of me.
He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold
and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home,
disappearing into the twilight.
A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to
grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg
of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two
old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The waitress came
over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet
smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldnít
erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant,
but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old
lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a
stranger. Then she remembered Bryan.
After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill.
The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill,
but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the
time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could
be. Then she noticed something written on the napkin.
There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote: ďYou
donít owe me anything. I have been there too. Somebody once helped me
out, the way Iím helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here
is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you.
Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.
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!^oooooo
Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to
serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when
she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the
money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how
much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it
was going to be hard.
She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to
her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered soft and low, Everything's
going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson.
=============================================================
>-->From Laugh&Lift:
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: : : : | | || : --- //7;\\> The Ripple Effect
(Author Unknown)
In 1855, A Sunday School teacher, a Mr. Kimball, led a Boston shoe
clerk to give his life to Christ. The clerk, Dwight L. Moody, became an
evangelist.
In England in 1879, Dwight L. Moody awakened evangelistic zeal in the
heart of Fredrick B. Meyer, pastor of a small church.
F.B. Meyer, preaching to an American college campus, brought to Christ
a student named J. Wilbur Chapman.
J. Wilbur Chapman, engaged to YMCA work, employed a former baseball
player, Billy Sunday, to do evangelistic work.
Bill Sunday held a revival in Charlotte, N.C. A group of local men were
so enthusiastic afterward that they planned another evangelistic
campaign, bringing Mordecai Hamm to town to preach.
During Mordecai Hamm's revival, a young man named Billy Graham heard
the Gospel and yielded his life to Christ.
Only Eternity will reveal the tremendous impact of that one Sunday
School teacher, Mr. Kimball, who invested his life in the lives of
others.
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=========================================================
>-->From our Friend Jo Ann :)
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>Merry Christmas
I don't know who they are
Saying I can't greet the crowd
The way that I want to
Can't say CHRISTMAS out loud.
I walk into a business place
See things that I rather not see
But dare I not say CHRISTMAS
And ask for a "holiday" tree.
What happened to freedom of speech
And living in the land of the free
How can they take my CHRISTMAS money
But can't say MERRY CHRISTMAS to me.
Men and women have given their lives
So we could still go free
I wonder how they would feel
At saying "HOLIDAY" TREE.
Come on ALL let's wake up
Don't let freedom escape
If they get by with doing this
What else will they take.
This is starting to get out of hand,
And I've begun to keep track
Well I've just about had enough
I'M TAKING CHRISTMAS BACK.
So MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL
I hope this gets all over the net
If we all stand united and take freedom back
'Twill be our best CHRISTMAS YET!
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...A Merry Christmas indeed! Thanks Jo Ann!
-<>-
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>Sack Lunches
I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down
in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm
glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,'
I thought.
Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and
filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to
start a conversation.
'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to
me. 'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training,
and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan
After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack
lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours
before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help
pass the time...
As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he
planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a
sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we
get to base.' His friend agreed.
I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked
to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar
bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my
arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My
son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'
Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers
were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best
- beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, woondering why she asked. She
turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a
dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.'
After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane,
heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I
want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five
dollars.
Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down
the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not
looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my
side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held
out his hand and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening
my seat belt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice
he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone
bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.'
I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.
Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A
man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his
hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my
palm.
When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane.
Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me,
put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without
saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!
Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their
trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them
seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base.
It will be about time for a sandwich.
God Bless You.' Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and
respect of their fellow travelers.
As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe
return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could
only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank
check made payable to 'The United States of America, 'for an amount of
up to and including my life.'
That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country
who no longer understand it.'
---
...So True! God Bless Our Veterans! Thank You Jo Ann!
========================================================
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>My old watch
By: Joseph J. Mazzella
I have had the same watch now for twenty four years. It was a
gift from an uncle that I got when I was just fourteen. It was one
of the first digital watches ever made and it weighs about two
pounds. I have gone through about five watchbands with it so far.
Some of the numbers on the display are getting hard to read as well.
Still, I keep buying new batteries for it and refuse to get a new
one as long as this one works. My wrist feels strange without its
familiar weight on it and my heart still feels a touch of warmth
from my late uncle's love when I look at it.
A part of me too is reassured when I look down at this old
timepiece still working away after all these years. It gives me hope
for myself in the years ahead of me. This body of mine just turned
thirty eight years old recently which means that if I live an
average life span on this world then half my life is already over.
Since a large part of the first half of my life was spent figuring
out what life is all about, this only leaves me the last half to
really live my life the way it was meant to be lived: in choosing
and sharing love, joy, and oneness with God. I take hope then in
seeing my old watch still working away after most watches are thrown
away. It reminds me that I can keep working away too and bring a
little Heaven to Earth, no matter how old I get.
Whether you are a new clock, an old watch, or an ancient
timepiece remember that you still have time to make a wonderful
difference in this world. You still have time to warm some hearts
with your love, touch some souls with your joy, and heal a few lives
with your light. You still have the time to live like you were meant
to, to love like you were born to, and to be one with God like you
were designed to be. You still have the time to bring a little
Heaven down to Earth and to ready your soul to fly from Earth back
to Heaven.
-<>-
.-------.
oO{-JACKPOT-}Oo
.=============. __
| [a] [X] [o] |( )
| [$] [$] [$] | ||
| [X] [o] [$] | ||
| |_||
| xxx ::::::: |--'
| ooo ::::::: |
| $$$ ::::::: |
| |
| __ === |
|_____/__\____|
/###############\
/#################\
|#JGS###############|
>A Bucket of Money
One fine evening a man walked into a fast-food chicken place and
bought a nine-piece bucket of chicken. He took his chicken to the
park for a romantic picnic under the moonlight with his lady.
Upon reaching into the bucket, however, he received a surprise.
Instead of chicken he discovered what was apparently the
restaurant's night deposit--nine thousand dollars. The young man
brought the bucket back to the store and asked for his chicken in
exchange for the money. The manager, in awe of the young man's
honesty, asked for his name and told him he wanted to call the
newspaper and the local news station to do a story on him. He would
become a local hero, an example of honesty and morality that would
inspire others!
The hungry man shrugged it off. "My date's waiting. I just want my
chicken."
The manager's renewed amazement over the young man's humility almost
overwhelmed him. He begged to be allowed to tell the story on the
news. At this the honest man became angry with the manager and
demanded his chicken.
"I don't get it," the manager responded. "You are an honest man in a
dishonest world! This is a perfect opportunity to show the world
that there are honest people still willing to take a stand for what
is right. Please, give me your name and also the woman's name. Is
that your wife?"
"That's the problem," said the young man. "My wife is at home. The
woman in the car is my girlfriend. Now let me have my chicken so I
can get out of here."
It's easy to look good to people who don't know you. Many of us do a
good deed here and there, go to church, say the right words, and
everyone thinks we're something that we're not. But God sees your
heart. It really doesn't matter how much you do or what other people
think of you. What matters is what's on the inside.
-author unknown
-<>-
_________________________
(, ______________________ )
| | ||
| | @@@@ || @@@@
| | @@@@@@@ || @@@@@@@
| | @@ - - || - @@@@
| | @ c/ || '_ @@@
| | _@| |_ || __\@ \@
| | ( \ )/_\ /_ || _\\ (/ ) @\_/)
| | \ \|) / \) || |(__/ / /|
| | |\_/ ( -/ || \___/ ----/_|
| | / \ || ,: '(
| | : _/| || |: \
| | : | || |: )
| | : | || |: |
| |_______'____,_|_______|| |_____,_|
.---('________________________)--. | / (
|____ __________ _| | /\ )
|___| -o- | |__| -o- | ( \| /
|___| -o- | |__| -o- | | /'=.
b'ger|________| |__|______| '=>/ \
/ \ /|/
,___/|
>A Reflection
Walking home, the other day,
I met myself, coming back that way,
Wondering, just how and why,
I looked at me, he looked at I,
I am you, a year from now,
He continued, with a bow,
If you do nothing, else in life,
Heed these words, take my advice,
When times get hard, you'll feel you scream,
Their never, as bad, as they seem,
If things get dark, you find some light,
If you are wronged, you make it right,
And if nothing seems, to go your way,
Tomorrow, is, another day,
Your life is only, your's to live,
So smile, cheer up, stay positive,
But if you feel, you're out of luck,
Look to your soul, to get unstuck,
Stare deep inside, what do you see?,
Yeah that's right, in you, is me.
-Author Unknown
-<>-
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>THREE TREES
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were
discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, 'Someday I
hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and
precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone
would see the beauty.'
Then the second tree said, 'Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will
take Kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the
world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my
hull.'
Finally the third tree said, 'I want to grow to be the tallest and
straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the Hill
and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how
close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time
and people will always remember me.'
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group
of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he
said, 'This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell
the wood to a carpenter,' and he began cutting it down. The tree was
happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a
treasure chest.
At the second tree the woodsman said, 'This looks like a strong tree. I
should be able to sell it to the shipyard.' The second tree was happy
because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened
because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come
true. One of the woodsmen said, 'I don't need anything special from my
tree. I'll take this one,' and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed
box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This
was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made
into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and
carrying kings had come to an end.
The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they
placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first
tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but
this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of
this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the
second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were
out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was
strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and
He stood and said 'Peace' and the Storm stopped. At this time, the tree
knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through
the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they
came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to
die at the top of a hill.
When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to
stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible,
because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your
way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust
in Him, God will give you great gifts.
Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had
imagined.
We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His
ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.
Please keep this moving... Pass it on, so God may inspire more people
on the way.
-<>-
~~Pages to Share~~
Love
http://www.buffaloschips.com/3r44.htm
Hair Piece
http://www.buffaloschips.com/jhg7.htm
Hang Onto That Pole
http://www.buffaloschips.com/mjh.htm
Dirty Sneakers
http://www.buffaloschips.com/jdj.htm
Dodge Viper VS Tzero Electric Car
http://www.buffaloschips.com/89uy.htm
Dog In Trance
http://www.buffaloschips.com/t43e.htm
Don't Eat While Driving
http://www.buffaloschips.com/t54.htm
Energy Star
http://www.buffaloschips.com/gre3.htm
Hard Day
http://www.buffaloschips.com/o8u.htm
Miniature Wonderland
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/modeltrain.html
Earth In Perspective
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/earth.html
Love Thoughts
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/love.html
Small Thoughts
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/smallthoughts.html
Worms
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/worms.html
YouTube Bible Teachings
http://tinyurl.com/dgefoh
Nigerian Dwarf Goat
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/goat.html
Bolivia's Road Of Death
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bolivia.html
Guoliang Tunnel Road
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/tunnel.html
Underwater River In Mexico
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/underriver.html
Give Me Flowers
http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/poems/flowers.html
A Mother Horse's Love
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/motherslove2.html
A Mother Squirrel's Love
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/motherslove.html
Baby Squirrel Finnegan
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/finnegan.html
Nanny Animals
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/nannyanimals.html
Pictures To Ponder
http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ponder.html
Carl Sagan - Pale Blue Dot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p86BPM1GV8M
========================================================
>-->From Our Friend Bunni :)
FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD
Cleverly done!!!
,
,_ , .' `'-,'(_.-' _<
>_.--(.. ) .=;`
All things bright and beautiful, `V-'`\/``
All creatures great and small, * * *
All things wise and wonderful: * *
The Lord God made them all. * .:::.__*
-Cecil Frances Alexander * /'::::\ *\_
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>Twas the Month before Christmas
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
See the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ' Holiday'.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-Pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-is-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'
Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS,
not Happy Holiday!
Please, all Christians join together and
wish everyone you meet
MERRY CHRISTMAS
Christ is The Reason' for the Christ-mas Season!
If you agree please forward, if not, simply delete.
---
...Amen! After all it's His birthday celebration!!! Thanks Bunni!
===========================================================
>-->From Kidwarmers:
_.---.( ..--._)
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THE FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY
While at the dance studio, Isabella, 3, wanted to get a drink from the
"water mountain (water fountain)." (Her mother hadn't realized how
thirsty Isabella was!) -- Jodi (mother of Isabella) of Minnesota
After a long day of play, James, 5, and Nathaniel, 3, were going home.
Grammy was driving and Aunt Andrea tried to entertain Nathaniel. She
placed the blanket over her head and asked, "Where's Aunt Andie?"
Nathaniel laughed and pointed. Grammy said, "Yes, she's under the
blanket... And where would Grammy be if she put the blanket on her
head?" James said flatly, "In the ditch!" A little big later, as it
became dark, Nathaniel, who had been looking out the window, asked,
"Aunt Andie, why is the moon following us?" -- Andrea of Mount Vernon,
Ohio
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Kim took her two sons, ages 2 and 6, shopping with her. She needed to
try on a few things, so off they went to the fitting rooms, where Kim
tried on a black pantsuit. Kim asked her 6-year-old how he liked the
pantsuit. He replied, "I like it! It's the same color your hair is
painted!" (Kim had changed her hair color from its natural brown to
black a few months earlier.) -- Kim Koerner of Cumming, Georgia
Here's another story about shopping. Cristy was shopping with her
daughter Taylor, 3. Cristy was trying on clothes and feeling
unattractive because nothing seemed to fit. Taylor said, "Oh, Mommy,
you look like an angel in that. I love that on you..." But then Taylor
had to blurt out the truth, "You know I am just telling you that so
you'll buy me a toy!" -- Cristy of Peterstown, West Virginia
_ _
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Jimmy, 12, was talking with his brother Thomas, 9, about colleges.
Jimmy was telling Thomas how Yale is one of the best schools in the
country. After careful thought, Thomas said, "Well, Jimmy, I don't know
how great a college it could be if it rhymes with jail!" -- Lisa of
Connecticut
Grace, 5, went to her grandmother Shirley's house trick-or-treating in
a Little Bo-Peep costume. Shirley asked Grace where her sheep were.
Grace replied, "Don't you know, Grandma, Little Bo-Peep has lost her
sheep!" -- Shirley Bartow of Wisconsin
,
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Kathy enjoyed her nephews during the Thanksgiving holiday. For
example, Tyler, 4, was carrying around a container of band-aids. Kathy
asked him if he was planning to get hurt. He said, "No, I just like
band-aids." Bradley, 6, piped up, "Aunt Kathy, you know... you could
make a guitar out of band-aids... And do you know what a guitar made of
band-aids would sound like?" "What?" Kathy asked with excitement. With a
dead pan look, Bradley began strumming an imaginary guitar -- with
absolutely no sound! (Note from Grace: I was thinking the words "band"
and "aid" might have given Bradley the idea of his "guitar" "aiding a
band" that was too loud. Forgive me. I'm hopelessly addicted to puns.)
-- Kathy True of Cleveland, Tennessee
Ember, 2, likes to help with zipping her coat. She always says,
"Mama, will you please scoot my button up?" Also, one day when Ember was
trying to wash her hands and was having trouble with the faucets, she
said, "Mama, my hands keep finding that the water is hot." -- Tiffani
(mother of Ember) of Bloomington, Minnesota
o_ _
=\.= | \
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Riley, 2, is amazingly quick at learning new words. The two most
recent additions to her vocabulary are "Mississippi" and "encyclopedia."
When she was at the doctor he asked her if she likes to read books. The
word "book" rang a bell. "Yes," Riley replied, "the encyclopedia!" --
Jean Aichele (grandmother of Riley) of Kendallville, Indiana
Kiesha, 16 months, asked if she could have a "boy cheese" sandwich.
Her mother said she didn't know what that was. Kiesha explained that a
girl cheese sandwich is cooked and a boy cheese sandwich is "not cooked
because boys not know how to cook." (Her dad is not a great cook!) --
Dianna Scharf (mother of Kiesha) of Winnipeg, Canada
========================================================
* . .
. | .
* \|/
-->*-->My Child, I Am Your Forgiving King
(By Debbie Preuss, November 5, 2001)
My child, I love you, no matter what you bring
To the feet of Me, your forgiving King
Bring it to Me, then lay it down
Trade now your rags, for heaven's crown
Nothing shocks Me, I see it all
I know each time My child falls
I wait for you, to come to Me
So I can heal you eternally
Each time is new, I don't keep score
My forgiveness over you I pour
Over My child, washing you clean
Come My child, and on Me lean
Bring your sins, your cares, your woe
Bring them to Me, for I know
The weight is too heavy for you alone
Believe My love, is to you shown
Forgiveness will lift your heavy weight
Come now child, don't be late
My forgiveness extends while you live
So to Me, please your burdens give
I know your sin, your secret shame
Child, please call out to My name
For I am your forgiving King
No matter what to Me you bring
Come to Me, collect your crown
Bring your burdens, lay them down
I love you child, for eternity
Won't you now, just come to Me?
* . .
. | .
* \|/
-->*Updated FUN STUFF URLS - Oh Yeah :) Shangy!
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http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/urls.html
FUN URLS
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-->BECOMING A CHRISTIAN
HOW TO BE A CHRISTIAN!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-->FULL LENGTH - FREE On line AUDIO MP3 Chriistian Foundational Class
http://www.truthortradition.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=61
NEW LIFE IN CHRIST!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-->This is for all you who love food and DARRE to make it at home Yep.
You guessed it - Recipes. These are Tried and True, Yummy to the Tummy,
good old fashioned home cooking recipes that are EASY to do :)
Visit Shangy's Easy-Does-It Home Recipes:
http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/easy.html
Home Recipes
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